

CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance
Hannah Munro
Welcome to CFO 4.0, where we explore the dynamic landscape of Financial Leadership in the era of Technology 4.0. I'm your host, Hannah Munro, Managing Director of itas, a pioneering Financial Transformation consultancy. In this podcast series, we unravel the intricate connection between cutting-edge technologies and the financial domain. It's more than just adopting tools; it's about cultivating the skills necessary to navigate and spearhead the transformative journey within Finance. CFO 4.0 embodies the archetype of the Financial Leader in the future — a fusion of strategic visionaries and tech-savvy innovators. As the CFO role swiftly evolves from a mere cost controller to a strategic influencer, each transition opens up novel possibilities. Tune in as we share valuable insights and guidance from inspirational CFOs and finance leaders every episode, empowering you to revolutionise your processes, people, and data. Seize the opportunities, propel your business and career forward, and lead with unwavering confidence. Join us in shaping the future of Finance — this is CFO 4.0, your guide to the Future of Finance. We’d love for you to join our community, and if you like what you hear (which I’m sure you will 😉) it would be great if you rate and share.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 18, 2023 • 41min
136. Navigating M&A and Investment Strategies in a Changing Landscape with Bill Fink
Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro is joined by Bill Fink, Executive Vice President at TD Bank, and they delve into the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and investment strategies! Bill, an expert in the field, shares valuable insights and trends that are shaping the current business landscape. From the impact of rising interest rates to the opportunities emerging in the middle market, they explore key topics that CFOs and business leaders should be considering right now. Topics covered in this episode:The ripple effect of interest rate hikes and its implications on the cost of capital, debt, and deal structures. The importance of strategic thinking and seizing opportunities amidst a challenging market. The potential for rebound in M&A and leveraged buyout activity as interest rates signal reduction in the future. The value of private equity partnerships and how they can contribute to business growth and expertise. Exploring the often-overlooked option of Employee Stock Ownership Programs (ESOP) for business owners considering succession planning. Links referenced in Podcast: Bill Fink's LinkedIn Learn more about TD Bank Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Jul 11, 2023 • 46min
135. From CFO to CEO: Igniting Passion and Driving Growth with Hannah Williams
Send us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast Hannah Munro is joined by Hannah Williams, CEO at Alacrity. Hannah Williams is a recent CFO turned CEO, and during the episode she shares her journey, passion, and insights into the world of finance and entrepreneurship, discussing the power of embracing opportunities, fuelling enthusiasm, and driving growth in family businesses.Hannah William's authenticity and wisdom shine through as she discusses various topics, including:The transformative journey from CFO to CEO and the excitement of new possibilities.Unleashing passion and authenticity as key drivers for success in leadership roles.Navigating challenges in raising the profile and brand of a startup.Valuable advice and perspectives for CFOs in family businesses seeking growth and innovation.Links referenced in this episodeHannah William's LinkedInLearn more about Tiny RebelLearn more about Alacrity Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Jul 4, 2023 • 51min
134. CFO Stories | Driving Change in Finance: Unleashing the Power of Transformational Leadership with Ilana Esterrich
Send us your thoughtsIn this week’s episode of CFO 4.0 Ilana Esterrich, CFO at Planned Parenthood joins us to delve into the world of sustainable transformational leadership.Ilana shares with Hannah Munro her wealth of knowledge and experience in driving successful organisational transformations and highlights the critical role of change management in achieving lasting change.Also covered on the podcast• The significance of people's skills in driving successful change • How you need to be good at communicating the "why" and aligning it with individual motivations• Creating a sense of one team and fostering a culture of openness to change• Importance of reducing non value adding activities in finance processesLinks mentioned in this episode:• Ilana’s LinkedIn• Find out more about Planned Parenthood Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Jun 27, 2023 • 42min
133. Financial Transformation Live: 12 Months to a Faster Close
Send us your thoughtsJoin us for the next session in our Financial Transformation Live series that will be a game-changer for finance professionals striving for a faster, more efficient month-end close. Hosted by Hannah Munro, this session promises to provide a robust roadmap for achieving a streamlined financial close in just 12 months.This workshop aims to empower you to take control of your close processes and reduce the overall timeline. It's about more than just speed; it's about optimising your processes for quality, efficiency, and consistency.Key areas to be covered include:The importance of benchmarking: Understanding this will help you measure your progress and inspire effective strategies for improvementIdentifying Barriers: Every organisation has unique challenges that slow down the financial close process, we will talk about the most common barriers experienced during month-endAssessing Your Month-End: Develop an understanding of the overall health and efficiency of your current month-end processesFormulating a Plan: We will delve into the creation of a practical, achievable plan to help you reach your month-end goals in 12 monthsLinks mentioned:June FTL: 12 Months to a Finance CloseRevisit previous Financial Transformation Live sessionsRegister for July’s Financial Transformation Live sessionFinancial Transformation Live Feedback surveyExplore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Jun 20, 2023 • 41min
132. CFO Stories: A CFO's Guide to Navigating Risk with Isaac Strulowitz
Send us your thoughtsThis week, CFO 4.0 podcast host Hannah Munro is joined by Isaac Strulowitz, CFO at CoVenture who offers his unique perspective on risk management, providing valuable insights into how CFOs can protect their firms against unforeseen challenges.In the episode, we cover: Isaac's account of the SVB collapse and the proactive steps his team took to protect investor capital.Risk management strategies that have proven effective, such as creating redundancies, maintaining a robust disaster recovery plan, and evaluating all firm relationships for potential risks.Isaac's analogy of risk management to dental hygiene: ignoring it can lead to serious repercussions down the line.The delicate balance a successful CFO must strike, between budget management, operational duties, and strategic oversight.Isaac's concept of a "cockroach" company - one that can survive and continue functioning even after major crises.Links referenced in this episode:• Isaac's LinkedIn• Isaac's Twitter• Learn more about CoVenture Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Jun 6, 2023 • 53min
131. Key Takeaways from the GENCFO Summit: A Look into the Future of Finance with Chris Argent
Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast, Hannah Munro is joined by Chris Argent, founder of GENCFO. Together, Chris & Hannah delve into the insights, trends, and key takeaways from the recent GENCFO Summit. Topics covered include: The shifting role of the finance function, moving beyond transactional processing to business partneringThe necessity of selecting the right people for your tech transformation and why it's about more than just acquiring new technologyThe discussion on the current and future use of Excel and the future of finance tools with the advent of cloud and machine learning capabilitiesThe imperative of having your finance team earn their 'seat at the table', contributing value to the business beyond traditional rolesThe role of technology and how it aids in bringing about transformations in the finance functionLinks referenced in this episodeChris Argent’s LinkedInGeneration CFO GENCFO SummitDigital Finance Function Awards Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

May 30, 2023 • 50min
130. Flipping the Script: Hannah Munro hops into the Guest Seat on Mark Gandy's CFO Bookshelf
Send us your thoughtsThis week's episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast takes an exciting twist as host Hannah Munro steps into the guest seat on Mark Gandy's highly-regarded CFO Bookshelf podcast. Hannah & Mark engage in an interesting discussion that spans entrepreneurship, mentorship, literature, and the evolution of CFO 4.0! Throughout their discussion, Hannah and Mark delve into: A detailed review of Derek Sivers' book 'Anything You Want: 40 lessons for a new kind of entrepreneur', evaluating its worthiness for CFOs and finance professionals.The significance and impact of having a mentor, specifically for CFOs, and how mentorship can contribute to professional growth.The questions they'd pose to Derek Sivers if given the chance, probing deeper into the book's themes and takeaways.A behind-the-scenes look at the inception of the CFO 4.0 podcast, exploring how the podcast came to be and its objectives in the finance world.Links referenced in this episode:Mark Gandy’s LinkedInCFO Bookshelf PodcastDerek Siver’s Book – Everything You Want on AmazonPlease note: This episode aired originally on the CFO Bookshelf Podcast. Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

May 23, 2023 • 44min
129. Mastering Finance Business Partnering: The 9 C's to Elevate Your Impact with Andi Lonnen
Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast, Hannah Munro delves into the essential characteristics and skills needed for successful finance business partnering with guest, Andi Lonnen, Founder & CEO at Finance Business Partner Academy! Andi shares her insights on the 9 C's of effective finance business partners and discusses the importance of having the right mindset, skillset, and daily actions. Hannah & Andi also explore the challenges of onboarding finance business partners and the critical role they play in organisations. Also covered in this episode: The 9 C's of effective finance business partneringThe importance of mindset, skillset, and daily actionsChallenges in recruiting and finding finance talentOnboarding strategies for new finance business partnersThe role of communication and relationship-building in finance business partneringLinks referenced in this episodeAndi's LinkedInLearn more about FBP AcademyWhat are the 9 C's Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

May 16, 2023 • 52min
128. The Future of Finance: Cultivating Skills & Adapting to Change with Oliver Deacon
Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of the CFO 4.0 podcast Hannah Munro is joined by guest, Oliver Deacon, Executive Coach at Oliver Deacon Coaching, to discuss the future of finance and how it will be transformed in the next five years. With a focus on the importance of soft skills, leadership, and process engineering, Oliver shares pragmatic tips to help finance professionals and teams stay ahead of the curve.Listen in as they explore a range of topics, including:The importance of soft skills, leadership, and process engineering in the finance sectorCultivating personal resilience and adapting to changeFostering a culture of learning within finance teamsLeveraging new technologies to drive impact and solve problemsPractical tips for staying ahead of the curve and preparing for the finance revolutionLinks mentioned in this episodeOliver's LinkedInOliver Deacon Coaching Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

May 9, 2023 • 39min
127. CFO Stories: Driving Success in Start-ups as a Portfolio CFO with Alysha Randall
Send us your thoughtsThis week brings us a ‘CFO Stories’ episode of the CFO 4.0 Podcast! Hannah Munro sits down with Alysha Randall, an experienced portfolio CFO at Fast Growth Consulting Limited, who shares her insights and expertise transitioning from the corporate sector to startups, and the various aspects and challenges of being a portfolio CFO!In this episode, we cover:The transition from corporate to startup financeKey financial challenges faced by startups and how to tackle themThe importance of cash flow management for startup successDifferences between a startup and corporate CFO roleThe benefits and challenges of being a portfolio CFOSigns of a successful portfolio CFO and measuring successLinks mentioned during this episode:Alysha's LinkedInFast Growth Consulting Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!